LCD or plasma tv advice? I am looking to buy a 37-42 inch tv but am yet undecided about which format to buy.?

Warning: This is a warning you are not gonna get from the dealers or the manufactures. LCDs have very fragile, very breakable PLASTIC screens. Screens because there are two. The "inner" screen of my 7 mos. old Sony Bravia 42" is broken. Broken by a 34 lb., 3year old throwing an empty plastic cup. The screens are plastic because they can be and it prevents the screen from being reflective. It also makes them CHEAPER to make. No warranty, no repair. If you have children or children visit, do not buy LCDs. Plasma have a glass screen like all other TVs except LCDs. Both are cheap to operate depending on where you live: 3-41/2 cents/hour for plasma and 2-3 cent/hour for LCD. Plasma is better 42" or larger and in dark rooms or basements and for viewing sports. Most plasma brands also have anti-glare coatings. When I can get another $2000 together I will get plasma.

Go with plasma.

There are plenty of good reasons why 63% of the population prefer plasma televisions.

Ok, Here is what you need to look for. First of all, despite the warning of other answerers, plasma screens are just as fragile as the LCD screens are. The biggest difference is the fact that the plasma is about 3 times the weight of an LCD and that can make a big difference if you are going to be mounting it on a wall. Also the plasmas use about 5-8 times the power that an LCD does. This is so because the plasma relies on the heating of a gas to a certain temperature to get the video displayed onto the screen. Another thing against the plasma tv is the fact that after the gases inside them are gone, the tv is garbage. This usually happens about 6-8 years after you purchase it. If I were you I would go with a Sony flat panel LCD with a native resolution of 1080p. The higher the contrast ratio you can find the better off you will be. I recommend Sony because they are an excellent company and on top of the industry. Also they have the best warranty services of all major manufacturers. As with all televisions handle with care. The electrical components in all of the tv's on the market are fragile. If you drop it, it will break. If you hit it, it will break. Neither of these instances will be covered by your warranty or extended warranty because they are considered consumer liabilities. I hope this helps you out.

lcd without a doubt

what i know about these two televsions is that for screens over say, 50 inches plasma is usually better with a crisper picture, however with smaller sets the lcd equivelant is just as good. also the lcd televisions have interchangeable bulbs that are very easy to deal with, while plasmas burn out completely